Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Zambia: Descriptive Analysis of a Household-Based National Survey Open Access

Abstract

Background: The HIV epidemic in Zambia has contributed to a national population of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) that has distinct characteristics and needs. We examined data from the 2016 Zambia Population-Based HIV Impacted Assessment (ZAMPHIA) survey to estimate the total number of OVC in Zambia, their sociodemographic characteristics, HIV prevalence, and levels of household support.

Methods: ZAMPHIA 2016 is a nationally representative, household-based survey with a cross-sectional, 2-stage cluster sampling design and provision of HIV testing. We used complex survey weights to produce weighted estimates of the count and profile of OVC ages 0-14 years in Zambia.

Results: We estimated that there were 1.06 million OVC in Zambia in 2016, consisting of 658,721 orphans and 399,069 vulnerable children. OVC constituted 14.5% of the total child population. The prevalence of orphans was higher among older children with 49.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 45.2 to 52.9) of all orphans in the oldest age group (10-14 years). HIV prevalence was 3.1 times as high among OVC compared to non-OVC (95% CI: 2.0 to 5.0). Of the estimated 585,498 households with OVC, only 0.5% to 7.7% received support, varying based on the type of support service.

Conclusion: OVC comprise a considerable proportion of children ages 0-14 years in Zambia. Despite the higher rates of HIV among OVC than non-OVC, most OVC households are not receiving support. Efforts should be placed on closing this gap in coverage and developing targeted interventions that address the needs of this underserved population. 

Table of Contents

N/A

About this Master's Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Epidemiology
Subfield / Discipline	Global Epidemiology - MPH & MSPH
Degree	M.P.H.
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health Health Sciences, Epidemiology Sub Saharan Africa Studies
Keyword	OVC HIV Zambia
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Dr. Patrick Sullivan, Emory University
Committee Members	Dr. Andrew Voetsch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Last modified

Primary PDF

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions
	Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Zambia: Descriptive Analysis of a Household-Based National Survey ()	2019-04-18 14:03:46 -0400	Press to Select an action Download

Supplemental Files

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions